Conferences

In a world of global connectivity, citizens are called upon to become global citizens. They are not helped by a world of disconnection. The agendas of governments, the private sector and research communities are rarely coordinated. The United Nations and the European Union seem unable to generate popular support for and trust in their work. It is legitimate to ask whether their ambitious agenda and international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the envisaged actions on climate change are real and will be honoured. The relationship between ordinary people and institutions is increasingly characterised by scepticism, cynicism, and mistrust.

What is needed to transform the relationship between citizens and institutions ?

How can public support and pressure be generated concerning the Sustainable Development Goals ?

What could be the role of arts in tackling disconnection ?

The conference will be followed by a drink and snacks before the screening of the film Singing with Angry Bird at 8 pm for the Opening Ceremony of the Festival.

With the emergence of the digital economy, the third industrial revolution is underway. The Bruegel Institute in Brussels has estimated that within 20 years 54% of European jobs will be affected by robotisation. This is already the case in transport and agriculture, but also in finance, medicine, catering and even journalism and the medico-social sector.

Work is becoming a rare resource that will have to be shared, but how? How can the coexistence of humans and robots be ensured? Should robots be taxed? How will the economy function if consumption shrinks ?

The changes are already perceptible, modifying the relationship each one maintains with work, its organization or its remuneration.

The conference will be followed by the screening of the film Mattress Men from the Workers Competition at 9pm.

Speakers :

Marie-Hélène Ska, General Secretary at CSC.

Marc Goblet, General Secretary at FGTB.

Gérard Valenduc, Associate Researcher to the ETUI (European Trade Union Institute), professor in Social Sciences (UNamur and UCL), specialist in new technologies and their impact on employment.

Mady Delvaux, Member of the European Parliament for the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, author of a highlighted report on the robotization of work.